Button sewing machine



a- 8, 1945. w. T. MAXANT I 2,383,875

BUTTON SEWING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1940 sweets-snail 3rwentor Aug. 28, 1945. I w. T. MAXANT I 3 3 BUTTON SEWING MACHINE Filed'May 20, 1940 I a Sheets-Sheet 2 Gnomeig Aug. 28, 1945. T, MAXANT 2,383,875

- BUTT ON SEWING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1940 8 Sheets- Sheet 3 Cittomegs 1945. w. T. MAXANT 2,383,875

BUTTON SEWING 'MACHINE Filed May 20, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 lg E. 159 145 5 31 12 99 95 47 d wa 911% 91 3nnentor Aug. 28; H545. I w. T.-MAXANT 2,383,375

BUTTON SEWING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1940 8'Sheets-Sheet sw lime 111015 "l1. (Ittorneg Aug. 28, 1 945. x -r 2,383,875

' v I BUTTON SEWING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1940 s Sheets-Shed e I lmwttor Tjlgli- I attorneys Aug. 28, 1945. w. T. MAXANT 8 BUTTON'SEWINGIMACHINEV Filed May 20, '1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Aug. 28, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUTTON SEWING MACHINE William T. Maxant, Ayer, Mass. Application May 20, 1940, Serial No. 3 3 6248 18 Claims.

This invention relates to 'an improvement in button sewing machines of the character used for sewing buttons on work of various kinds, particularly cloth and various articles of clothing.

The principal object of the invention is to improve machines of this character, to simplify their construction, reduce the cost of manufacture, while yet providing for the efficiency and effective application of buttons, either of the two-hole or four-hole type, to work, by themanual actuation of the machine by the operator.

The principal improved features are the following:

First: Hidden control segments for-the button clamp mounted within the frame of the machine below the top level thereof, where said segments are protected by covers which are removable for adjustment of the segments therethrough but which keep the segments free from dust, dirt,

of the machine and other. foreign matter, and yet present a neat appearance to the machine. I

. Second: An improved button clamp which is constructed f-or'ready adjustment to accommodate buttons of different sizes as desired.

Third: Button clamp lifting mechanism which coordinates the raising and lowering of the button clamp with the control of the thread clamp and the thread slack lever, whereby one opera tion of this mechanism operates .all three elements, and the mechanism is operated through the standard and arm of the machine where it-is effectively protected thereby.

Fourthz' Improved and efficient stop motion for the machine acting on a gear attached to the drive shaft and on the hand wheel providing for the effective control of the machine at the end of the sewing operation, which is nevertheless released for repeat operation by a handle or lever which operates through the top of the base frame.

Fifth: Operation of the machine from a headon position made possible by the location of the hand wheel at one side of the machine instead of at the end thereof, with its shaft arranged at right angles to the hook or drive shaft and geared thereto, which makes possible better vision by the operator at the point of sewing and more efficient movement of the material through the machine.

Sixth: A thread finger which is removable for ready replacement in the event of breakage with- Seventh: A flange attached to the" thread finger to keep the neemerrom deflecting from the point'o'f the looper. 7 v

Many other improved features are incorporated in the machine relating to the various operating parts of the mechanism, the assembly thereofand the manner of handling the work in the operation. "These features are incor orated iii a preferred embodiment or the invention illustrated in the accompan ing drawings iri'vvhiche'i Fig. 1 is a side elevation or the improved sewing machine; I I

Fig. 2 is a detail vertical sectional view through a portion of the sewing head and thread clamp;

Fig. 3 is throug the thread clamp;

'- therethro'u'gh with parts in elevation;

H Fig- 7 is a disassembled perspective view of the i 'i fi dl ifiue ih zv .v Fig. 8 is a'bottorn plan view of the base frame vand operating mechanismp p r Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view therethrough substantially on; the mesa of Fig. 3;

Fig. 10' is a-h orizontal plansectional view of the" cam "operating mechanism for the button Fig. 11 a detail plan view of a portion of the button clamp actuating means Fig. lid is a detailcross section. therethrough; Fig 12 is a detail vertical sectional view through adjusting means for the swinging movement of the button clamp, substantially on the line l2 -l2 of Fig. 10';

Fig. 13 is a, similar view at right angles thereto;

Fig. 14 isa detail horizontal sectional view in bottom planwith parts in elevation, of the machine stop motion.

Fig. 15' is a vertical sectional view therethrough; Fig. 16 is a similar view at rightangIes thereto, substantially 'on the line l6-'-|6 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a top plan view of the button clamp removedj Fig. 18 is a horizonm through;'

Fig. 19 is a vertical sectional view ther ethrough;

20 is a cross sectionalview therethrough, substantiall-yon the line 20-20 of Fig. 17; and

Fig.- 21 is a detachedperspective view of the button stop member and its supporting plate.

Referring to the' drawings' in detail, the machine is designed for manual operation and is a 'detailhor'izontal sectional view I sectional view thereadapted to be supported on a table, workbench, or the like, for which purpose it is provided with a supporting machine bed designated generally by the numeral I. Mounted on the machine bed i is a hollow base 2 connected therewith by pivots 3 (Figs. 4 and 5) for swinging movement of the base frame 2 away from the machine bed I, to gain access to the operatin parts of the machine housed Within said base frame. Normally the base frame is held in a closed position on the machine bed I, by afiremovable screw orpin aasas'rs 4 which extends through an orifice 'in one side of the base frame 2 into a lug 5 attached to the I a,

machine bed I, and extending upwardly withinthe base frame 2. W

The base frame 2 has mounted on one end thereof an upstanding standard portion 6 of -a sewing machine arm, from the upper end of which standard 6 extends the lateral arm portion '1, carrying at the free end thereof the usual sew-. ing head 3.. These parts comprising the standard 6, arm portion 1 and sewing head 8 are preferably cast integral, and either secured rigidly to the base frame 2, or cast integraltherewith. The

outer side of the sewing head 8 is usually open,

but closed by a cover plate 9.

As shown in Fig. 6, thesewing head 8 has the usual needle bar l0, mounted therein in a guide sleeve H for reciprocating movement, carrying a needle l2 at the lower end thereof.

For the purpose of reciprocating the needle bar 10 axially thereof,.a link l3 (Fig. 6) has one end thereof pivotally connected at" l4 with the needle bar 10, while the opposite end'thereofis pivotally connected with a crank arm: l5mounted on the gearing 19 with a :drive' shaft 2U. that' extends horizontally in'the base frame 2 and is journaled in bearings therein. 'Thedrive shaft 20 is connected through bevel 'gearing2l (Fig. 8)" with a jack shaft 22, extending at right angles thereto through a side of the base frame 2, within which said jack shaft is journaled; A hand wheel 23 is fixed to the outer end of thejack shaft 22, ex-' ternally of the base frame 2, as shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 9, and said hand wheel 23 is provided with a projecting handle 24 thereon in position to be grasped by the operator at one side of the machine to rotate the hand wheel 23 and operate the drive shaft 20 and the several'parts of the machine to accomplish the sewing operation.

The forward end of the drive shaft 20 carries the usual rotary looper 25 (Fig.6) positioned below the top face of the base frame 2 in position to cooperatewith the needle l2 upon reciprocating movementof theneedle barLlD tov catch and retain the thread carried downwardly .by the needle through the button and the material to which it is applied. Cooperating with the looper 25 and the needle i2 is a thread finger 26',sl1own in detail in Fig. 7. This thread finger, as shown, consists of a hook-shaped element having a hub portion .2! with an orifice Zlitherein adapted to fit over a projection, 29 on one side of a bracket so fixed on a ro'ckshaft3l. ,Tliehub portion 21 of the thread finger is detachably secured to the bracket 30 by a set screw 32 that extends through the thread finger and into the bracket, upon the removal of which set screw the thread finger may be readily removed from the bracket 30 for replacement upon breakage or otherwise. The rock shaft 3| is operated in suitably timed relation by the drive shaft 20 which has a cam 33 thereon acting againsta follower 33a on the rock shaft 3! and yieldingly pressed thereagainst. The free end of the thread finger 26 is provided with a laterally deflected beveled flange 34 having a prong 35 on one side thereof in position to take the thread loop and hold it in proper position for the needle to pass therethrough on its back of the prong 35. Said flange 34 and prong '35 are formed integral with the thread finger 26.

The thread finger 26 not only holds the thread out of the .way of the descending needle, but it also pushes the thread ahead of the looper 25, so the new loop is pushed through the preceding loop, thus making a chain stitch. The thread finger 26 has the prong 35 thereon to catch the thread at the'eye of' the needle, while the old loop slides overthe hump or back of the thread finger. If theprong 35 shouldl'break off, due to tangled threads, the thread finger can be replaced readily, even by an inexperienced operator, without disturbing the timed relation of the machine.

' v Button clamp Mounted in the top face of the base frame 2 is a plate 36 rigidly secured thereto, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, and having an orifice 31 therein for Passage of the needle downwardly through the base frame. Bearing upon the plate 36 is a cloth plate 38, having an enlarged throat 39 therein through which the needle may pass in different adjusted positions of the cloth plate 38. The plate 38 is adapted to receive and hold the cloth, garment, or other work to which the buttons are to be applied and is movable with the buttons in shifting the latter to move the holes thereof successively intoregistry with the needle.

For this. purpose, the cloth plate 38 has its opposite end secured to a base plate 40 of a button clamp, shown in detail in Figs. 17 to 21, and which button clamp is adapted to receive and hold the buttons in proper position to be stitched onto the work andto move the same with the work to bring the holes in the buttons into proper registry with the needle. For this purpose, the base plate 40 is slidably mounted on the top surface Of the base frame 2 for both longitudinal and swinging movement as hereinafter described.

Atthe back end of the base plate 40 is mounted an upright support 4! pivotally connected with said base plate by a pin 42 for rocking movement ofthe support relative thereto. A clamping plate 43 has one and seated upon the support 4| and secured thereto by screws44, while the opposite end of said clamping plate 43 extends forwardly over the'base plate 40 and the cloth plate 38. Pivotally secured at 45 to the underside of the clamping plate 43 is a pair of button clamping jaws 46 that extend lengthwise of theclamping plate 43 substantially in parallel relation and have downturned forward ends provided with button seats 41 therein in opposed relation to slidably receive and hold the buttons in proper position for passage of the needle through the holes thereof. The

' clamping jaws 4B are adapted for swinging move- I ends bearing against the outer sides of the'clamping jaws 46 tending to hold said jaws tightly pressed against a button inserted in theblitto'n seats 41. The spring 48 is anchored intermediate the ends thereof by a screw 49 to the underside of the clamping plate 43. his also desirable to 1i'r 'nit'the closing movement of the jaws 45 to accommodate buttohs of difieiel'lt sizes, and yet permitting them to-b'e pushed therebetween With out requiring a-iseparate opening movement to insert the desired button between the button seats 41. For this purpose, provision is made for positively spreading the clamping jaws 46 a predetermined distance apart by a pair of leversiill, each-having one end pivotally supported at on the'underside of the clamping plate 43', while its opposite end is turned laterally at 52 against the inner side or the corresponding clamping jaw 46.

The levers 50 are provided with lugs 53 thereon through which a'sc'rew. 54 extends and has respectively right-hand and left-hand threads on opposite end portions thereof arranged for engagement with the lugs 53, so that upon rotation of the screw by its enlar ed thumb head 55, the levers 50 are positively moved toward or from each other to accomplish a spreadin or closing movement of the clamping jaws 46. A coiled spring 56 is connected between the clamping jaws 46 to supplement the spring 48 and tending to draw said jaws together and hold them against the out=tur-ried ends 52 of the levers 50 in retra'cted positions as far as permitted by said levers. Thus it will be evident that upon turning the screw 54, the clamping jaws 46 may be spread apart to accommodate buttons of different sizes or drawn together under the influence of the springs 48 and 56. as indicated in the full line and dot line positions; respectively, in Fig. '18.

Mounted between the engaging elements 41 of the clamping jaws 46 is a button stop 57', which is adapted to be moved lengthwise upon adjustment of the clamping jaws 46, according to the different sized buttons to be received therebetween. This button stop 51 is in the form of a depending arm rigidly secured to or integral with the longitudinal movement of the depending stop arm 51. For causing said longitudinal movement of. the arm 51 corresponding with the spreading or closing movement of the clamping jaws 46, a-

plate 63 is secured to the underside of the arm 5! and has diverging slots 64 therein receiving pins 65 attached to. the clamping jaws 46, whereby opening or closing movement of the clamping jaws causes longitudinal sliding movement of the plate 63 and the arm 51 connected therewith.

Button clamp actuation Provision is made for vibrating the button clamp and the cloth plate 38, both longitudinally and transversely relative to the needle between successive strokes thereof when it is desired to sew four-hole buttons to the cloth, or longitudinally only when it is desired to sew two-hole buttons thereon, so that the stitches will be caused to pass through the holes of the button and into the cloth in a predetermined number of needle strokes. For four-hole buttons, the button should beshifted so as to present the holes of one pair each pair and between the respective pairs during the stitching cycle. For thispurpose, the base plate 40 is mounted for sliding and swinging movement relative to the top surface of the base frame 2, but guided by a screw 66, extendin through a slot 61 in said base plate 40. I

For providing longitudinal movement for the button clamp and'c'loth plate 38, a pin 68 is'conheated with the base plate 49 of the button clamp and extends through the top of the base frame 2, asshown in Figs; 6 and 10. A link 69 has one end connected with the pinto and th opposite end pivoted at 10 to a lever ll intermediate the ends of said lever, as'shown in Fig. 10. The lever H extends transversely of the base frame 2, and one end of said lever is pivoted at 12 to the underside of the top of the base frame 2, while the opposite end of said lever is'provided with a slot 73 therein. Said slotted end of the lever H is arranged in overlyingrelationwith a rock arm or crank segment [4, having an undercut groove 15 in the upper face thereo A bolt 15 has the head thereof received in the undercut groove 15 of the rock arm 14, which bolt .16 extends upwardly through the groove and the slot 13 in the lever 1 I; having a nut Tl there-' on for tightening. said bolt and for holding the same against relative longitudinal displacement in the slot 13 and groove '55. .Aspacer i8 is provided oh'the bolt separating the lever H from the rock-arm for freedom of relative turning move-. ment thereof and to provide a pivotal connection therebetween, even when the nut 'l'! is tightened, which tightening action serves to hold the pivot point "in a set position relative to these parts. Upon loosening the nut, the pivot formed by the bolt 7,6,-may be shifted lengthwise of the slot 13, thereby changing the effective length of throat of the rock arm 14 to vary the movement of the while movement of the pivot bolt '16 in the oppothe path of the needle, so that the total number site direction shortens the length of the stroke. This adjustment may be'made to accommodate for .the spacing of the holes in different sized buttons. The location of this pivot just beneath the top of the base frame provides for ready accessibility thereof for making this adjustment when desired.

'Acover plate 79 (Fig. 5 is arranged over the adjustable .portionof the operating means just described and removably held in place by, screws 80 to provide for ready removal thereof when desired. This will be necessary only when there is to bea change in buttons having holes differently spaced from each other, but when the pivot bol-t lo is adjusted to a set position, it will remain in place and properly regulate the lengthwise shifting of the button clamp to move the holes in the buttons into proper registry with the-nee- (lie between successive strokes thereof.

The rock arm 14 is mounted on a stub shaft 8i journaled in a bracket 82, rigidly fixed to the inner side of the base frame '2. The lower end of the vstub shaft Bl has an arm'83 fixed thereon,

carrying a pin 84 which extendsinto a cam groove 85 formed in a disc 86, as shown in Figs. 6, 8 and 10." The disc 83 is rigidly-secured to the l mbo of sperm gear 88 journaled "on a pin 89, rigidly fixed to the top of the base frame 2.

0f 'SpitGheSWmbE dedibetween t e holes of Slots '90 are formed in the disc 06 and receive set screws 9| that extend through the slots into the hub 81 for adjusting the positionof the disc 86 and its. cam groove 85 to operate the button clamp in properly timed relation; v 'Ihe worm wheel-88 meshes with a worm 92 secured to the drive shaft 20. j g The drive shaft 20 also carries a second worm 03 (Fig. 8) which meshes with a'worm gear 04, having an elongated hub 95 journaled on a pin 96, rigidly fixed'to the cover of the base frame 2, as shown in Fig. 10. The hub 95 also carries a cam disc 91 adjustably mounted thereon by slots 98 and set screws 99 that extendthrough the slots into the hub 95 for adjusting the position of the cam disc 91. relative thereto, as may be desired to operate the cam disc .in properly timed relation. The cam disc 91 is provided with a'cam groove I therein receiving apin I 0| on an arm I02 which is secured to the lower end of a stub shaft I03, journaled in a bracket I00, rigidly fixed to the inner side of the base frame 2, beside the bracket 82 described above.

The upper end of the stub shaft I03 has rigidly secured thereto a laterally extending rock arm or crank segment I05 (Fig. 12) provided with an undercut cam groove I06 therein. A pivot bolt I01 has the head thereof received in the groove. I06 for sliding movement lengthwise thereof and extends upwardly therefrom witha thumbnut I08, threaded on said 'bolt I01. The rock arm I05 is also located beneath an opening in the top of the baseframe 2 which opening is normally covered by a plate I00, removably held in place by screws 0 for removal of the plate to gain access to the control segments therebelow. A slot III is formed in the cover plate I09 through which a portion of the thumb nut I08 extends. The pivot bolt I 01 is adjustable lengthwise of the groove I00 between the closed end thereof and an abutment H2, shown as a clamping bolt engaging in the groove and adjustable lengthwise thereof to regulate the length of adjustment of the pivot bolt I01, in an outward direction, said pivot bolt being adjustable inwardly to a position coaxially with the stub shaft I03. 1

As shown in Figs. 10,12 and 13, a link H3 has one end thereof pivotally connected with the rock arm I05 by the bolt I01, with a bushing H4,

2and intoa slot I I1, extending lengthwise in the base plate 40 of the button clamp. Thus rotation of the cam disc 91 will cause swinging movement of the rock arm I05 and when the pivot bolt I01 is out of axial alignment with thestub shaft I03, this will impart reciprocating movement to the link II3, thereby oscillating the button clamp transversely about its"pivot' 56 to shift the button from side to sidein'obtaining proper registry of the holes therein with the' needle. 7 a 1 The cam discs 85 and 91 have the grooves 85 and I00, respectively, properly shaped with suitable dwells and shoulders, to impart the respective movements to the button clamp, so as to present'first one pair of holes in the button in registry with the needle during operating move.- ments thereof for a predetermined number of needle strokes and then to shift the button by 'purpose, the hand wheel 23 is provided with an action of the cam disc 91, so as to present the other. pair of holes in positions to receive the needle,-a nd then to shift the button back to its init a1, .,position just, before the completion of the stitching for final attachment to the fabric, which movements occur in properly timed relation with-the operation of the needle and the other parts of the'machine by reason of the operation of the cam discs directly from the drive shaft 20. Any desired adjustment of the cam discs may be made by the screw and slot connections of the discs with the gear hubs to adjust the timing thereof. When the pivot bolt I01 is shifted into axial alignment with the stub shaft I03, the rotation of the cam disc 91 will not impart any r'novement to the link -I I3, and thebutton clamp :will bereciprocated lengthwise while held against lateral oscillating movement for stitching a two-hole button to the material. The grooves of the cams are so formed as to cause the needle to descend twice into the same hole of the button at the completion of the stitching cycle to produce a button knotting stroke.

Stop motion At the completion of the button stitching cycle, provision is made for automatically stopping the machine with the needle elevated or withdrawn from the button to permit ready removal of the material and button from the machine. For this inwardly extending stop pin I I8 in position to be engaged by a sliding bolt I I9 (Figs. 8, 14 and 15) mounted in bearings. I20 in the base frame 2. A coiled spring I2I is connected with' one of the bearings I20 and with the bolt H9 tending to hold said bolt in a retracted position as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 14, where it is withdrawn out of the path of movement of the stop pin H8 and an abutment 122 is'secured on the bolt H9 in position to engage a side of the bearing I20 and limit the inward; movement of the bolt relative thereto.

The inner end of the bolt I I9 is rigidly secured to a yoke I23 which extends laterally therefrom and receives therein a lever I24 which is pivoted in the yoke at l25, intermediate the ends of said lever. One end of the lever extends in position to be engaged by a .pin I20, rigidly fixed to the hub 05, while the opposite end of said lever has areduced portion'i21, with which a coiled spring I28 is connected, which coiled spring normally tends to swing the lever I24 to the full line position shown in Fig. 14, in which the inner end thereof is in position to be engaged by the pin I26 on the hub 95. Thus, the hub may bev rotated through a complete .revolution by a turning movement of the hand wheel 23, during which said hand wheel will be turned through several revolutionsbut atthe completion of the single revolution of the hub 95, its pin I26 will engage the inner end of the lever I24 and move said lever lengthwise bodily to thereby slide the bolt II9 outwardly from the base frame 2 into the path of the stop pm I I 8 and thus limit the turning movement 'of the hand wheel '23 and of the operating shaft 20. These parts are arranged so that the operating shaft is stopped when the needle is in its elevated position withdrawn from the button and;clotli.

For releasing the bolt II9, a hand lever I20 is provided as shown inFig. 16, which hand lever is pivoted at I30 and extends through a slot I3! in the top of the base frame 2, being provided with a knob I32 on the upper end thereof. The

aeeaevcs.

lower end of the hand lever I29 engages pivotally with the reduced end I21 of the lever I, the connection being loose to permit lengthwise movement of said reduced end through an orifice in the hand lever I29 to accommodate for the lengthwise movement of the lever I24. The hand lever I29 may be moved to swing the lever I24 from the full line position in Fig. 14, to the dotted line position therein, upon which swinging movement the spring I28 is arranged to pull inwardly on said lever I24 to carry its inner end partially over the end of the pin I26 and thus release it from engagement by the pin which is facilitated by the inward pull of the coiled spring I ZI, which acts to Withdraw the bolt I I9 inwardly, .out'of the path of the stop pin .I I8.

To recapitulate, with the lever bar I24 in the fulleline position in Fig. 1.4, the rotation of the gear 94 by the hand wheel 23 causes the movement of the pin. I26 into contact with the end of the lever bar I24, moving the latter endwise to the left in Fig. 14. The lever bar I24 is connected by the block I23 with the bolt II9.' Thus, the aforesaid movement of the lever bar I24 pushes the bolt I I 9 forward so that its outer end projects into the path .of the stop pin II8 on the hand wheel, thereby blocking further rotation of the hand wheel.

When the operation of the machine is thus blocked, a forward pull on the lever I29'will swing the lever bar I24 on its pivot I25 to disengage the end of said lever bar I24 from the pin I26. The spring I2I acting on the bolt II9 tends to move the same, and also the lever bar I24, endwise to the dotted line position in Fig. 14, when the lever bar is thus released by the pin I26. This action causes the lever bar I24 to overlie the end t o c am raising an lowe ing Pr vi io is ma o t e anual raisins a d w rin o the but n c amp away fr m the ,clo h plate 38 at the completion of thestitching opera? tion and for lowering the clamp thereon before stitching, at the will of the operator. For this urpose. a o d han l l ver 13-3 is :pivotally mounted on the pin I30, beside the hand lever I29, projecting up through a slot I34 in the top of the base frame 2, with a knob;l35, on the upper end of said lever, as showninFigs. 1 and 5.

The handle lever I33 ismoved to the left in Fig. 1, for raising the button clamp at the. end ofthe sewing cycle, after the hand wheel 23 has beenstopped by the bolt H9. An arm I36 is secured to the handle lever I33 and projects laterally in overlapping relation with .the shank ofthe'handle lever I29 in position to move said handlelever and release the bolt 1 I19 when the handle'lever I33 is moved counter-clockwise in'Fig. 1,. to' raise the button clamp; This enables the operator to accomplish both actions by one operation -'and leaves the machine for immediate operationupon the sewing cycle on thesame button, if desired, without raising the button clamp.

. The handle lever I33-manipulates the button clamp through linkage that-extends through the bas frame 2 and upwardly through the stand.- ard 6, armv I and sewinghead 8, as shown inFigs. 1- and6, thusefiectively'confining this mechanism within themachinefandj: simplifying this opera-v tion. The lower end (if; the handle lever I33 is connected with, a link 5131, extending to a1 belle, cranklever I38 pivoted int-he base frame 2 at I39. The opposite side of thebell-orank'iever I38 is connected through a link ,L40thatextends upwardly in the standard fi to a bell-crank lever I4I pivoted at I42 at the upper end of said standard. The bell crank lever I! is connected! with one end of. a link I 4.3,;the' opposite end .of which link I43 is provided with an enlarged .or ifice I54, loosely receiving a pin I45.v The pin I45 is mounted on the upper end o'f'a lever I46 extend.- ing upwardly in the sewing head 8 and pivotally supportedat I41 therein, the lower end of which lever I46 projects through a slot I48 at the innerside of the sewing head 8. A link; I149 connects rigidly mounted on the button clamp.

The pivotal connections between the parts of this linkage enable the swingingmovemen-t 'of the handle lever I 33 to transmit raising or lowering movement to the link I49 and post I50 for thereby raising and lowering the button clamp before or after the sewing cycle,

Th a ne is p v ded preferably t a thread stand at or adjacent the back end there.- of for holding a thread spool from which thread ma b to the needle durin the sewi .operation. 1. I

As h wn, t e thr ad i ed t o h l in a post I5] on the top of the arm I, thence through the, usual intermittent thread tension I52, d a fixed ad tension 1 .5.3, both mounted t rm A po tififi is a so mounted on the seated .om th t nsion I53 with an ev therein through which the thread passes to the needle.

Intermediate the thread tension I53 and the post I54 is an upstanding pull-off arm I55 piv otally supported at I56 on the topof the machine arm I and having a bell crank arm portion I51,

extending laterally from said pivot, as shown in Fig; 5, beside an upstanding pin I58 attached to the link I43 (Fig. 6). The pin I58 is arranged within the arms ofthe bifurcation forming the bell crank lever that supports the pull-oil arm I55, in position to bear against said arms alternately upon lengthwise movement of the link 143,

to move the pull-off arm I55 alternately in oppo site directions upon raising or lowering movev ment of the button clamp.

After passing around the pull-oi-T arm I55 and through the post I54, the thread extends through an eyelet I59 at the upper end of the pl a,te l, thence downwardly to a'thread clamp supported on said plate, as shown in Figs. 2: and 3.

This thread clamp comprises a body portion having a vertical opening Ifil therethrough forthe downward passage, of the thread. The thread clamp body I69 is provided with a hub I62 in which is 'slidablv mou ted a d m in member I63 having a clamping face I64 normally dis a t i n i o theop ine LE position to coact with the oppositeside of said body I60 to coast with thehub I62 for maintaining .the clamping member in proper position. The clamping member I63 .hasa pin I66 slidably mounted in the inner sidethereof with a coiled spring I61 interposed between said pin I66 and the clamping member I63, normally tending to press .said pin I66 man inward direction relative thereto.- 'The pin I66 is arranged in position to be engaged by'a lateral abutment I68 carried on a side of the lever I46. Thusgswingi'ng movement of the lever I46 to raise 'the button clam will apply pressure through the pin l 66 and spring I61 to the'clamping'mem'ber. I63 for clamping the thread between the face I64 and the opposite side" of the thread opening I6I, thereby holding the thread securely. The parts are so arranged that this clamping action will occur just when the button clamp is started in anupward direction so that the continued raising movement thereof will cause a breakage of the thread after the knotting stroke has been made, to release the sewed button so that it may be removed from the machine ready for another operation.

Simultaneously with the raising of the button clamp, the same motion of the operator will cause movement of the threadpull-off arm I55 in a counter clockwise direction in Fig, 5, to pull thread through thetensions, so as to provide suf ficient length .of thread to start a succeeding sewing operation without danger of the-thread beingpulled backthrough the needle eye which might cause unthreading thereof during the initial sewing strokes.

-From' the thread clamp passageway I 6I,f the thread extends around a thread guide I69 on the face plate 9, thence through an eyelet I10, secured to the needle bar Ill and extending through a slot III in the face plate 9, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. From the eyelet I10, the thread extends downward through an orifice I12 in the face plate 9, thence to the eye of the sewing needle I2.

Operation Before commencing the sewing operation, it is necessary for the operator to make necess y adjustments according to whether a two-hole button of a-four-hole "button is to be sewed onto the material, which variation may be made' ton may be varied according to the position of the pivot bolt ID'I, which regulates the effective length of the rock arm I95. Similarly the length of-throw of the button clamp longitudinally is varied by adjusting the position of the pivot bolt 16 (Fig. 11),- which adjustment may be made readily upon removal of the cover plate I9;

Before starting the sewing operation, the material isplaced beneath the button clamp upon the clothplate 38 when the button clamp 'is in an elevated position. The button is then in- I serted into the clamping jaws 46, and the handle lever I33 ismoved in a clockwise direction in Fig. 1 to lower the button clamp onto the work. The, linkage connected with the handle lever 33 also'functions during said lowering movement to" release the thread clamp at I64 and to return the thread pull-off arm I55 to an idle position.

The hand wheel 23 is then rotated by the operator' (the bolt H9 having been'previously withdrawn upon the raising movement of the button clamp), the drive shaft 20 is operated to accomplish the stitching of the button to the material, in the usual way. The needle is manipulated a predetermined number of stitches placed alternately through the holes of the button as the button is shifted by movement of the thread clamp by one or both. of the cam discs 86 and 91. With a four hole button, a predetermined number of stitches are placed alternately through one pair of holes in the button, then the button is moved automatically to present the other pair of holes and the stitching is continued until just before the completion of the stitching cycle when the button is shifted back to the first pair of holes, the needle taking two strokes through one hole at the completion'of the cycle to provide the knotting stroke.

The complete sewing ,cycle involves rotation of the hand Wheel 23 through a sufficient number of turns to rotate the cam discs 86 and 9'! through one revolution, whereupon the pin I26 on the .hub of the worm gear 94 shifts the sliding bolt II9 into the path of the stop pin H8, attached'to the hand wheel 23 and stops the sewing operation, just after the knotting stitch has been formed and with the needle raised to an elevated position out of the work and button.

Thereafter, the operator merely pulls forward on the handle lever I33, first to clamp the thread at the thread clamp face I6 and then to raise the button clamp, breaking the thread, as well as manipulating the pull-ofi arm I55. The work may then be removed or shifted to another position ready for the sewing of another button.

Button pockets are preferably provided at I13, cast directly in the top of the base frame 2, and located at the front end of the machine on both sides of the button clamp for ready access by the operator.

I claim:

1. In a hand operated button sewing machine, the combination of an elongated hollow base, a hollow standard projecting upwardly from one end of the base and from the upper end of which extends a hollow arm having a needle head above the opposite end of the base, an elongated button clamp extending lengthwise of the base and having'an operative portion beneath the head, a needle operatively supported in the head, needle operating means extending through the standard and arm, a drive shaft in the base operatively connected with said operating means, a jack shaft having a driving connection with the drive shaft and extending transversely of the base'in a position between the standard and.

head, and a hand crank mounted on the jack shaft for convenient arm reach of an operator facing lengthwise of the base at the head end of the machine.

2. In a button sewing machine, the combination of a base, a hollow standard and lateral arm portion carried by the base, sewing means mounted in the arm portion, a button clamp mounted on the base for raising and lowering movements relative thereto, linkage extending through the base, standard and arm" and operatively connected with the button clamp for raising and ed in the arm portion, a button clamp mounted on the base for raising and lowering movements realtive there-to, means extending from the base through the standard and'arm'portion and operatively connected with the button clamp for raising and lowering said clamp, and a hand lever pivotally mounted in the base and having an actuating portion thereof extending through the top of ai base externally of the standard adjacent the sewing means to a point above .the

base and having another portion thereof con:

nected with said raising and lowering means for actuating said means.

4. In a button sewing machine, the combine: tion of a base, a hollow standard andiarm car-v ried by the base, sewing means carried by. the arm, a button clamp mounted on the base .for raising and lowering movements, relative thereto, means extending from the base through the standard and arm and operatively connected with the button clamp for raising and lowerin said clamp, said base having a slot therein adjacent the button clamp, and a hand lever pivotally mounted in the base and projecting upwardly through said slot to a point above the base for manipulation from over the base at a point ad-.

iacent the button clamp,said hand lever being connected with the raising and; lbweringmeans.

5. In a button sewing machine, th combination of a base, a hollow standard and-arm carried by the base, sewing means carriedbyflthe arm, a button clamp mounted ongthe base for raising and lowering movements relative thereto, means extending from the. base through the standard and arm and 1 operatively connected with the button clamp for raising and lowering said clamp, and a hand lever upstanding from the base and pivoted thereon, said lever being connected with the. raising. and lowerin means. 6..In a button sewing machine, the combina: tion of a base, a hollow standard and arm carried by the base, sewing means carried by the arm, a button clamp mounted-on the base for raising and lowering movements relative thereto, means extending from the base through the standard and arm and operatively connected with the button clamp for raising and lowering said clamp, and a hand lever upstanding from the upper surface of the base adjacent the button clamp and being pivoted to the base for swinging movement, said lever being connected with the raising and lowering means for manipulating the latter.

7. In a button sewing machine, the combination of a base, a hollow standard and arm carried by the base, said arm having a hollow head at the free end thereof, sewing means carried by the head, a button clamp mounted on the base for raising and lowering movements relative thereto, said head having a slot in a side thereof, a lever pivotally mounted in the head with an end extending through said slot, a link connecting said end of the lever with the button clamp for raisin and lowering the same, and actuating means connected with said lever and extending through the standard and arm.

8. In a sewing machine, the combination of a base hav n a slot in the top thereof, Work-holding means mounted on the base for raising and lowering movements relative thereto, a lever pivotally mounted in the base with an actuating portion thereof extending upwardly thereof through said-slot in the base in upstanding relation Within convenient arm reach from the work-holding means and arranged for manual actuation, and means connecting said lever with the work-holding means for raising and lowering said means upon actuation of the lever. l

9. In a sewing machine, the combination of a base supporting an arm having a sewing head thereon, work-holding means mounted beneath the arm for raising and lowering movements relative thereto, means extending through the arm and headfor raising and lowerin said-work.- holding means, a lever upstanding from the upper surface oi the base and pivoted thereon, said lever being operatively connected with said raising andlowering means for manipulating the late ter, a thread tension, a thread-clamp, a thread pull-off between said clamp and tension, and means for actuating said clamp and pull-off by the raising and lowering means.

10. In a sewing machine,- the combination of an arm having a sewing head thereon, work? holding means mounted beneath the arm for raising and lowering movements relative thereto, means extending through the arm and head for raising and lowering said work-holding means, a thread tension mounted on the arm, a thread clamp mounted on the sewing head, a thread pull-oil mounted on the arm between the clamp and tension, and means within the head and arm operatively connected with the raising and lowering means for actuating said clamp and pull-off to draw thread through the tension when the workrholdine me ns i ra s 11.:'In a. button sewing machinathe combinationof-a base, a standard mounted on the base and carrying an arm, a sewing head carried by the. arm, sewing means carried by the head, a

button clamp, mounted on the base, a thread. clamp mounted on the sewing head, a thread.

the arm, sewing means carried by the head, a

button clamp mounted on the base, a thread clamp mounted on the sewing head, a thread tension mounted on the ,arm, a thread pull-off mounted on the arm between the clamp and tension, means extending through the standard and arm and operatively connected with the button clamp for raising and lowering the latter, means for actuating said thread clamp and pulloff by said raising and lowering means, and a lever pivotally mounted on the base and operatively connected with the raising and lowering means for actuating the latter, said lever being arranged in upstanding relation above the base adjacent the button clamp.

13. In a button sewing machine, the combination of a base, an upstanding standard and arm mounted on the base, said arm supporting a sewing head, sewing instrumentalities carried by the head and including a needle, a button clamp mounted on the base beneath the arm for raising and lowering movements relative thereto, a thread tension mounted on the arm, a thread clamp mounted on the head through which the thread passes to the needle, a bell-crank member pivotally mounted on the arm and having an upstanding thread pull-ofi carried thereby, linkage extending from the base through the standard and arm and having an operative connection with the button clamp for raising and lowering said clamp, an upstanding pin connected with the linkage and extending in position to actuate the bell-crank upon actuation of the linkage, and means for operating the thread clamp by actuation of thelinkage.- l

14. In a button sewing machine, the combine tion of a base, a button clamp, and meansfor moving said clamp in directions substantially at right angles to each other, comprising a pair of links extending substantially at right angles to each other and each pivoted at one end to the button clamp, a lever pivotally connected intermediate the ends thereof with one of the links, said lever havin one end thereof pivotally supported, stub shafts having arms extending laterally therefrom, pivots connecting an end portion of the lever and an end portion of the other link with the respective arms, said pivots being adjustable lengthwise of the arms to Vary the extent of actuating movements of the links, said pivots being mounted within the base beneath the top thereof, saidbase having openings in the top thereof over the pivots for access thereto to adjust said pivots, at least one of said pivots having adjusting means thereon extending through the top of the base, and means or actuating the stub shafts.

15. In a button sewing machine, the combination of a base, a button clamp mounted on the base, and means for moving said clamp in directions substantially at right angles to each other, comprising a pair of links arranged substantially at right angles to each other and each pivotally connected at one end-with the button clamp, a lever pivotally connected intermediate its ends with one of the links, stub shafts journaled in the base and having ofiset arms, pivots connecting said arms respectively with the lever and the other link and adjustable lengthwise of the arms to vary the extent of movement of the links thereby, said pivots being arranged beneath the top of the'base, said base having openings therein over the pivots for gaining access thereto to adjust the pivots, cover plates for said opening and detachably connected with the base, the

pivot for the second-mentioned link having an adjusting device extending through the cover plate thereof for manual adjustment of said piv- 0t, and means for actuating the stub shafts.

16. In a button sewing machine, the combination of a base, a button clamp mounted on the base, and means for moving said clamp in directions substantially at right angles to each other, comprising a pair of links arranged substantially at right angles to each other and each pivotally connected at one end with the button clamp, a lever pivotally connected intermediate its ends with one of the links, stub shafts journaled in the base and having offset arms, pivots connecting said arms respectively with the lever and the other link and adjustable lengthwise of the arms to vary the extent of movement of the links thereby, said pivots being arranged beneath the top of the base, said base having openings therein over the pivots for gainingaccess thereto to adjust the pivots, cover platesfor said opening and detachably connected with the base, the pivot for the second-mentioned link having an adjusting device extending through the cover plate thereof for manual adjustment of said pivot, a pair of cams arranged in side-by-siderelation and operatively connected with the stub shafts for actuating the same, and a drive shaft geared respectively to the cams for actuating the same.

17. A thread clamp' comprising a body having a thread passageway therethrough, a clamping member slidably mounted in the body and coacting therewith to clamp a thread extending through the passageway, a pin having telescopic connections with the clamping member, and a spring interposed between the pin and the clamping member.

18. A button clamp comprising a support, a pair of button clamping jaws pivotally mounted on the support, resilient means normally tending to move the jaws toward each other, a pair of levers pivoted to the support and bearing laterally against the jaws'in opposed relation to the resilient means and in position for moving said jaws, and a screw member having opposite end portions thereof screw-threaded in difierent directions and having said portions connected respectively with the levers for moving said levers and thereby causing opening or closing movements of the jaws upon rotation of the screw.

WILLIAM T. MAXANT. 

